FIFA fine Croatia for racist abuse

GENEVA - World football's ruling body FIFA on Thursday fined the Croatian Football Federation 30,000 Swiss francs after Croat fans racially abused England striker Emile Heskey during a World Cup qualifier.

FIFA warned that further infringements "would lead to more severe sanctions".

En route to an eventual 4-1 victory for England earlier this month, Heskey was taunted with monkey chants from a section of the Maksimir Stadium in Zagreb when he was booked for fouling Niko Kovac.

He did not respond to the hecklers and ignored them.

England's Football Association then took the case to FIFA.

It is not the first time Croatia's fans have been sanctioned for racist abuse.

Croatia had to pay a small fine during Euro 2008 for racist abuse from their fans during their game against Turkey.